Clarendon & Bull Lane Brewery

The sign on the front above the window of The Clarendon in Sunderland says 1724. The White Plaque below the window also says 1724. If correct, this means next year will the 300th anniversary of the pub, or at least the building.

      Ron Lawson’s book A Historic look at the Pubs of old Sunderland/Sunderland Parish(East End) states the building was first mentioned in 1724 and was rebuilt in 1818. Be that as it may, this pub must be rare in that it has two historic plaques; one on the front (the white one above) and one on the left hand side (a blue one right ).

The latter is dedicated to Bull Lane, the alleyway that runs along the side of the pub down towards the River Wear.

Bull Lane, above, to the left of the pub entrance. The brewery sign and the blue plaque can be seen in the alleyway. The now closed entrance to the Brewery. is at the bottom of the steps.

The pub has had many owners over the years and in 2005 ownership passed to John Taylor, who started brewing in the cellar underneath the pub. Access was gained from Bull Lane and so the Bull Lane Brewery was born. Beers produced included Ryhope Tug, Sauce of the Niall and T.J. Doyles Neck Oil.

The beer was available in the pub and also in the local area. The brewery closed however in 2011, with the kit being transferred to Firebrick Brewery in Blaydon. The signage for the brewery is still in place, both at the side and the back of the pub overlooking the river.

The back of The Clarendon, showing the still present Brewery sign to the left of the large window. The steps up to High Street East can been seen on the right below the pub sign.

The Clarendon closed in 2013 and then reopened after a refit as The Butcher’s Arms. Its has now gone back to its original name, but not before a series of closures and openings ; the most recent being an opening in August 2023. Real ale has not be available for more than five years now; the pub used to be a regular in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and last appeared in 2016.

During the 2018 Tall Ships Race in Sunderland, the pub had a viewing platform overlooking the events, as the view takes in the river upstream and downstream across to the National Glass Centre.   

The view from the window inside the pub, showing the National Glass Centre (the building with the two chimneys) on the other side of the River Wear.

The Sunderland Echo recently published a photographic feature of The Clarendon: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/retro/sunderlands-oldest-pub-in-nine-archive-pictures-4357685?fbclid=IwAR0VFrS7ojqx9-ZeFrEL-yhPHGuvH5Xa-RIu1AeG0kZVV7yif_XrdDujaBI

Ken Paul

Getting there :-
THE CLARENDON 144 High Street East SR1 2BL.
It’s a 20 minute walk from the City Centre along High Street West then High Street East. Mostly downhill,
except for coming back ! The Go North East no. 33 stops opposite the pub (daytimes Monday – Saturday) and Stagecoach North East no. 8 runs evenings and Sundays. https://www.nexus.org.uk/bus/timetables